Heating system.



W. SHURTLEFF.

HEATING SYSTEM. APPuATloN FILED APR. 19, 1915..

Patented Dec. 28, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

W. SHURTLEFF.

HEATING SYSTEM. APPLICATION vFILED APR. I9. I9I5. llalg., Patented Dec. 28, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

iIIIHHI .J6 I I.'

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l U5V UNITE@ STATES PATENT IFIQE..

WILFRED SHUR'I'LEFF, OF MOLINE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO MOLINE VACUUM VAPOR-HEATING- CO., OF IVIOLINE, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0F ILLINOIS.

HEATING SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led April 19, 1915. Serial No. 22,491.

To all whom t may concem Be it known that I, WiLFRED SHURTLEFF, a citizen of the United States, residing at Moline, in the countv of Rock Island and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Heating Systems, of which4 the following is a specification.

One of the leading objects of this invention is the provision of eiiicient means for the return of the water of condensation of a heating system to the steam boiler or generator, particularly when a relatively low boiler pressure is employed. To reach this result, the preferred manner of practising the invention involves the employment of a pump, preferably, though not necessarily, one of the centrifugal type, actuated by a suitable source of power, such as a rotary steam engine or turbine, through which the steam fed to the heating system passes, whereby the operation of the pump will in general be proportioned to the amount of pumping to be performed, that is, to thev amount of steam being condensed in the ra- In some cases a pressure-reducing means may desirably be employed between the generator and the turbine or other steam primemover, and, in some instances it is well to connect such means to the exhaust side of the turbine to regulate the working pressure thereon.

In some installations it is advisable or convenient to so arrange the system that the water of condensation will return to the boiler by gravity when low pressure prevails, the pump becoming automatically effective when the pressure increases. In order that those skilled in this art may have a full and clear understanding of the invention and the advantages accruing from the use thereof, I have illustrated adesirable embodiment 0f the same in the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this specification and to which reference should be made in connection with the following detailed description.

In the drawing: Figure 1 illustrates the whole -steam yheating system somewhat diagrammatically, Fig. 2 illustrates a fragmentary.. detail of the turbine and pump, and Fig. 3 isa vertical section through the casin inclosing the turbine and pump.

eferring to the drawings, it will be clear that in this embodiment of the invention the system comprises a suitable form of steamgenerator or boiler 10 supplying steam through a main 11 to a number of radiators 12, all of which in the present instance are above the water-line of the boiler, although in its broader and more general uses the in. vention is susceptible of employment in a system where one or more of the radiators is below the boiler water-level. All of the radiators are connected to a common pipe 13 by means of which the water of condensation is returned to the boiler, and at the end of the system, if desired, a seal or trap 14 may be employed.

A rotary steam-engine or turbine 15 is connected in the steam main 11, so that all steam which passes to the radiators necessarily flows through such turbine. In the return pipe 13 a pump 16 is inserted, preferably one of the centrifugal type, the turbine operating the pump by means of a vertical shafty 17 inclosed in a casing or shell 18 forming a part of or a connecting portion for the casings of the turbine and pump.

Stated differently, the turbine 15 and water-pump 16 are mounted on the same vertical shaft 17 and all three are housed in the casing 18 common to all, the upper portion of the casing containing the turbinebeing connected in the steam-main 11 while the lower portion of the casing accommodating the pump is connected in the water return pipe 13, whereby the turbine actuates the pump and the casing acts as an equalizer for the system. This action is brought about due to the fact that that portion of the casing containing the turbine is in direct communication with that part of the casing housing the pump. vIn the particular embodiment illustrated in these drawings the lower part of the casing is supplied with a wall 100 apertured at 101, 101, permitting' the passage of the water from the pipe 13 to the casing and pump. On this wall 100 a ball-bearing 102 lis mounted on which the lower end of shaft 17 rests and revolves. The upper portion of the casing beneath the turbine is equipped with a ball-bearing 103, the passages between the balls permitting the draining of the moisture of the steam main to the lower-portion of the casing, the steam and water being in direct contact. In this way, the central or connecting portion of the casing actsas an equalizer and the water therein prevents the steam entering the pump chamber, or, stated difaently, such part of the casing constitutes a standpipe, seal, and drip for the steam-main.

Between the turbine and the boiler a pressure reducing or regulating device 19 may be used, and in some,instances it is desirable to connect such device by means of a pipe 20 to the steam main on the exhaust side of the turbine, whereby to regulate or limit the pressure supplied to the turbine. This pressure-reducing or regulating appliance 19 is also conveniently supplied with valves 21 and 21l on opposite sides thereof and with a by-pass 22 equipped with a valve 23 wherebythe device 19 may be cut into or cut out of-the system at will.

Since, as has been indicated, all ofthe steam condensed in the radiators passes through the steam turbine, the speed of rotation of the latter and of the pump will in general be proportionate to the work which the pump is called upon to do in returning the Water of condensation to the boiler. The use of a horizontal turbine and a horizontal pum connected to and driven by the turbine y a vertical shaft all properly incased, forms an extremely simple and effective construction for performing the functions desired. If n o pressure regulating or reducing device is used then, of course, the turbine is subjected directly to the boiler pressure. In many installations, however, it is desirable to carry a higher pressure on the boiler and use any suitable form of pressure reducing appliance. The present invention is particularly adapted for employment in such systems because it is necessary to use some form of appliance which will return the water into the boiler against its higher pressure and in this case the effort of the pump is properly regulated automatically by the flow of steam through the turbine with respect to the amount of water to be returned. In case all of the radiators are above the water level of the boiler then this water may, under low pressure, be returned to the boiler by gravity and the pump and turbine .so arranged that upon suitable increase of pressure they will automatically become operative. By connecting the pressure regu- `lator withV the exhaust side of the turbme main a predetermined limiting difference of pressure becomes operative on the turbine, restricting or llmiting the speed to which it may attain. In case one or more of the radiators is below the water level of the boilerV then, of course, a pump or similar appliance is necessary to effectively return the water of the radiators to the steam generator.

In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated, the turbine is positioned abovel the water-level of the boiler and the pump below such level, but the exact positions of these devices is susceptible to considerable variation. For example, in some installations both the turbine and the pump may be below the boiler water-line. By placing the pump below such level there is no necessity for priming and the lubricationA of the appliance is facilitated, the water itself assisting in the smooth and easy running of the parts.

To those skilled inrthis art it will be apparent that many other minor changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention presented without departure from the substance and essence of the invention and without the sacrifice of any of its substantial benefits and advantages.

I am aware that heretofore it has been proposed to return to the boiler the water of condensation by means of a pump actuated by a rotary steam engine through which the steam flowing to the system passed, but my invention comprises the several features of novelty and improvement presented in the appended claims which give to such a system the various important and valuable characteristics of structure and function hereinbefore described.

I claim:

l. In a heating system of the character described, the combmation of a steam generator, a radiator, a steam main connecting said generator to said radiator, a returnpipe from the radiator to the generator arranged for the gravity return of the water of condensation to the generator when the pressure is low, a steam turbine connected in said steam main, a centrifugal pump 1ocated below they water level of the generator and connected in said return-pipe, and a vertical shaft connecting said turbine and pumpwhereby upon increase of pressure the turbine will actuate'. the pump to return the water of condensation into the generator and the speed of the pump will be regu-Y lated by the volume of steam iiowing to the radiator, substantially as described.

2. In a heating system of the character described, the combination of a steam-generator, one or more radiators, a steam turbine, a water-pump, a shaft connecting said turbine and pump, a casing common to said turbine and pump with communication between the turbine and pump portions thereof, a steam main connecting said generator and the one or moreradiators, the portion of said casing `accommodating the turbine being interposed in said main, and a Yreturn pipe from the one or more radiators to the generator for the return vof the water of condensation, the portion of Said casing accommodating said pump being interposed in said return pipe, whereby the turbinedrives the pumpto return the water of condensation, substantially as described.

3. In a heating system ofthe character described, the combination of a steam gem erator, one or more radiators, a steam turbine, a centrifugal water pump below the turbine, a shaft connecting said turbine and pump, a vertically-disposed casing common to said turbine and pump with communication between the turbine and pump portions thereof, a steam main connecting said generator and the one or more radiators, the portion of said casing accommodating the turbine being interposed in said main, and a return pipe from the one or more radiators to the generator for the return of the water of condensation, the portion of said casing accommodating said pump 'being interposed in said return pipe, whereby the turbine drives the pump to return the water of condensation, substantially as described.

4. In a heating-system of the character described, the combination of a steam-generator, one or more radiators, a steam-turbine, a water pump, a shaft connecting said turbine and pump, a casing common to said turbine and pump lwith communication between the turbine and pump portions thereof, a steam main connecting said generator and the one or more radiators, the portion of said casing accommodating the turbine being interposed in said main and located above the water level of the generator,.and 'a return pipe from the one or more radiators to the generator for the return of the water of condensation, the portion of said casing accommodating said pump being interposed in said return pipe and located below the water line in the generator, whereby the turbine drives the pump to return the water of condensation, substantially as described. n

5. In a heating system of the character described, the combination of a steam generator, one or more radiators, a horizontal steam turbine, a horizontal centrifugal water pump below said turbine, a shaft connecting said turbine and pump, a verticallydisposed casing common to said turbine and pump with communication between the turbine and pump portions thereof, a steam main connecting said generator and the one or more radiators, the portion of said casing accommodating the turbinebeing interposed in said main, anda return pipe from the one or more radiators to the generator for the return of the water of condensation. the portion of said casing accommodating said pump being interposed in said return pipe, whereby the turbine drives the pump to return the water of condensation, substantially as described.

6. In a heating system of the character described, the combination of a steam-generator, one or more radiators, a horizontal steam-turbine, a horizontal centrifugal water pump below the turbine, a shaft connecting said turbine and pump, a verticallydisposed casing common to said turbine and pump with communication between the turbine' and pump portions thereof, a steam main connecting said generator and the one or more radiators, the aortion of said casing accommodating the tur ine being interposed in said main and located above the water line of the generator, and a return pipe from the one or more radiators to the generator for the return of the water of condensation, the portion of said casing accommodating said pump being interposed in said return pipe and located below the water line of the generator, whereby the turbine drives the pump to return the water of condensation, substantially as described.

7 In a heating system of the character described, the combination of'a steam generator, one or more radiators, a steam turbine, a water-pump, a shaft connecting said turbine and pump, a casing common to said turbine and pump with communication between the turbine and pump portions thereof, a steam main connecting said generator and the one or more radiators, the portion of said casing accommodating the turbine being interposed in said main, a return pipe from the one or more radiators to the generator for the return of the water of condensation, the portion of said casing accommodating said pump being interposed in said return pipe, whereby the turbine drives the pump to return the water of condensation, and a pressure-regulating means in the steam main between the generator and the turbine, substantially as described. y

8. In a heating system of -the character described, the combination of a steam generator, one or more radiators, a steam turbine, a water pump, a shaft connecting said turbine and pump, a casing common to said turbine and pump with communication between the turbine and pump portions thereof, a steam main connecting said generator and the one or more radiators, the portion of said.b

casing accommodating the turbine being interposed in said main, a return pipe from the one or more radiators to the generator for the return of the water of condensation, the portion of said casing accommodating said pump'being interposed in said return-pipe, whereby the turbine drives the pump to return the water of condensation, pressure-regulating means in the steam main between the generator and turbine, and means governing the pressure-regulating means and connected to said steam-main at the exhaust side of the turbine,.substantially as described.

9. In a heating-system of the character described, the combination of a steam-generator, one or more radiators, a horizontal steam turbine, a horizontal centrifugal water-pump, a shaft connecting said turbine and pump, a casing common to said turbine and pump with communication between the pump being interposed in said return pipe and located below the water line of the generator, whereby the turbine drives the pump to return the water of condensation, a pressure-regulating means in the steam main between the generator and the turbine, and

means governing said pressure-regulating means and connected to said main at the eX- lhaust side of the turbine, substantially as described.

l0. In a heating system of the character described,the combination of a steam generator, Ione or more radiators, a steam turbine,

a water'pump, a shaft connecting said turbine and pump, a steam main connecting the generator and the one or more radiators and having the steam turbine interposed therein, a return-pipe from the one or more radiators to the generator for the return of the water of condensation and having the pump interposed therein, whereby the turbine drives the pump to return the water of condensation, a pressure-regulating means in the steam main between the generator and the turbine, and means governing said pressureregulating means and connected to the steam main at the exhaust side of the turbine, substantially as described.

l1. In a heating system of the character described, the combination of a steam generator, one or more radiators, a steam main connecting said generator to said one or more radiators, a return-pipe from the radiators to the generator arranged for the gravity return of the water of condensation to the generator when the pressure is low, a steam turbine connected in the steam main, a pump connected in the return-pipe, and a driving-connection between the turbine and pump -whereby upon increase of pressure the turbine will pump the Water of condensaf tion back into the generator and the speed of the pump will be regulated by the volume of steam flowing to the radiators, substantially as described. f

WILFRED SHURTLEFF. Witnesses:

L. E. BEGKWITH, F. W. THOMPSON. 

